New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-11
Mr.. BEECHER's WILL AND ESTATE.

NIX. BEECHERS WILL AND ESTATE.
THE WILL NOT TO BE PROBATED-AMoUST OF MS
ESTATE
1t was gwen out on Major Ponds authority that Mr.
Beechels will read yesterday afternoon. 1t was
the dead cle gymans wish that the will should
published and Major Pond said that the family has
decided not to admit 1t to probate Neither the
of the will nor the names of the would be
made public. The will would be executed privately.
it being satisfactory to all the heirs Some question
raised at the reading to whether the will could
legally be kept unprotected General Horatlo G. King
ad vised the family that it could Only three persons
outside the Beechcr family knew the contents OF the
will-Major Pond himself, General King and Rossiter
". Raymond.
Various estimates made OF the value Of the prop
erty lett by Mr. Beecher. While he received a large
salary $40, 900 year for the last twelve years he
al ~ avs spent money with liberal hand For the last
two years he contributed SO 900 each year fl ON his
salary toward the music and other penses OF the
,hurch, o,mg TO the decrease in the pew rents What
is regarded close estimate OF the amount he has
earned in his long and busy lifetime places il at
S1,OOOOO0. His salary tor fifty years, at average
of $40, 900 year (it over this amount Tor more
than halt the perodl would aggregate SoOOUOO.
From his lectures and addresses IL estimated that he
received about $500, O00 and his income from his
literary works. copyright in his books and wedding
1ee- etc. il placed at $Z00.OOO more. In regard to
his estate MAJOR Pond says it will amount TO $l6OOOO
or $2O0OOO. Other friends are inclined to consider
this amount high One OF the leading members OF
the church said last evening mat he We ud be sur
lite insured for go, OUO and he owned his house
and farm at Peekskill which estimated TO be worth
$50 900. This is believed TO be free and clear, he
devoted the receipts of his recent lecturng tours TO
paying off the mortgage He also had tne library,
choice collection of etchings. many OF them artist
proofs and first copies. which have greatly increased
in value since they pun chased. He had vaua-
bic collection OF gems, most OF them exceedingly fine
and of great value 1t understood that he directed
the pictures and precious stones TO be sold after his
death. After Mr.. Beecher sold his house at No. 124
Columbia Heights he owned no Brook yn property
That house hea,Iy mOrtgaged TO meet the OK
penses Of his trial. although his church raised his SAL
airy that year TO $lOOOOO. One OF his friends said
last evening:
Mr.. Beecher seemed 10 have no Iden OF the value OF
money except what he could get Tor IT. He once said
in his pulpit that il he had 800 in bills he could not
count it and make 1t come out twice alike When he
anything he wanted, whether it was O picture, a
precious stone. book piece OF bricn brac and he
had the money, be bought ii. Then IL anv one took
fancy 1t he would give it away. No one ever knew
how much money he gave away in private beneiac-
tons, and many persons Will miss his unobtrusive
charity. One OF his last acts Il send two barIows
ful Of books from his library to the church al the
nucleus OF collection TOR the benefit OF the Western
branch OF the Soldiers Home at LeavenwOrth Kansas
He was generous to fault aud loaned much money
which was never returned He would never have
saved anything Ii 1t had not been tor his WIFE who
looked after his affairs When In Brooklyn since the
house In Columbia Heights was sold they boarded
with their eldest The summers they spent at
Peckskil Mr. Beeehor used to say that his farm there
COST him moro than 1t paid, and last he told
sone visitors that the potatoes they ate cost him
dollar apiece to grow"
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